Mali

I went by bus from bamako to timbuktu, but I decided to fly back to bamako on the way back. From Djenne to Timbuktu, the busride was a nightmare by the end. Bring a full box of water for each person on this trip. I was there during end April-May so it was SUPER hot, and you will drink all the water and be happy you brought it when your vehicle’s fuel tank breaks and you are sitting in the desert w/ your companions telling you stories of bandits for 8 hours. We had many flat tires and then the fuel tank broke. Many hours after the fuel tank broke, another vehicle came by and assisted us. They put gas up on the top of the vehicle and fed it thru a tube down the window in the hot sun into the hood. We were about two hours into timbuktu driving like this. Somebody was even smoking in the back seat! I made them put it out. I LOVE MALI though. One of my favorite countries in Africa as well as the world. Super nice people. They have some interesting stickers you won’t find in Miami, Florida. Rambo, Bin Laden, Madonna, and Arafat ones among many other funny ones you can by at the markets on the cars cars and motorcycles. You see madonna next to laden side by side! Can’t wait to go back! Make sure you know some french to get by.